Fireworks, parade slated in Manchester

MANCHESTER - If you need to cross the Merrimack River Sunday, don't count on using the Bridge Street bridge.

Because of Sunday night's Fisher Cats and Rock 101 Sky Show, the bridge will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to about 11:30 p.m. to allow crews to set up the fireworks display, according to Manchester police. Meanwhile, for safety reasons, access to Commercial Street will be limited to pedestrians starting at 8 p.m.

The 21st Sky Show, featuring what is advertised as the state's largest Atlas Fireworks display, takes place at Arms Park, 10 Arms St. Gates open at 2 p.m., and musical performers include '80s rockers Quiet Riot, Aerosmith cover band Draw the Line, and Metallica cover band Battery. The fireworks display begins about 9:20 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Northeast Delta Dental box office or by calling 641-2005.

Westbound traffic on Granite Street from Elm Street will be closed at 9 p.m. to ease traffic flow out of the Millyard after the fireworks. And traffic will not be able to access the Millyard from the Amoskeag Rotary starting at 9 p.m.

Police urged motorists traveling through the area during the fireworks display to pay strict attention to the roadway and not stop to watch.

Manchester parade on Monday

On Monday, Manchester will observe the Memorial Day holiday with a parade on Elm Street.

The parade will step off at 2 p.m. from the intersection of Webster and Elm streets and will stop at Veterans Memorial Park for a wreath-laying ceremony. The grand marshal is John P. Kacavas, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire (for other parade listings, turn to Page B9).

Portions of Elm Street in the area of Webster street will be closed at 1 p.m. for parade staging, and all of Elm Street, from Clark to Granite streets, will be closed at 1:55 p.m. for the parade. Motorists heading east or west across the city are advised to use any street south of Granite Street.

Also on Monday, observances will be held at 9 a.m. at Stark Park and at 10:30 a.m. at Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1718 Smyth Road. At 3 p.m., the National Moment of Remembrance will be observed at the Manchester V.A.